In the sixteenth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew is recorded a remarkable statement pertaining to church. Christ Jesus had attracted great throngs about him by wondrous signs of his divine authority—healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding the thousands, and proclaiming that the kingdom of God is at hand. Now he was questioning his disciples in regard to the popular concept of him. When their answers revealed the superstitious ignorance of the multitude, he asked directly for their own opinion. Simon impulsively replied, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." And we read that "Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Thus did Jesus establish his church upon the spiritual foundation which Peter discerned, but not upon that disciple's personality. Christ Jesus knew and proved the foundational fact that spiritual man is the son of God. He spoke of God as "our Father" and "your Father." He said, "Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Christ Jesus proved his own divine sonship by his demonstration of healing power. He was the Way-shower, and left his perfect example as a pattern for all mankind. His proven sonship with the Father is the precious cornerstone upon which the harmonious structure of universal brotherhood is built. Patiently, he taught the divine sonship of all. Paul spoke of him as "the firstborn among many brethren."
The great truth of man's divine origin and heritage is the foundation upon which rests the Christian Science church. Man is the son of the living God. This does not mean that mortals are the sons of God. A mortal so-called man, born of the flesh and returning to dust, is but a counterfeit of immortal man, God's image. How far removed is the real, spiritual son from this counterfeit! The son of God is the incorporeal image of pure Mind. His consciousness is untainted by fear, hate, or lust. He expresses holiness, health, and life eternal. His native spiritual purity endows him with full dominion and understanding of divine being. He expresses divine Truth.
